If there’s one item that separates your daily EDC loadout of a phone, wallet, and keys from everyone else’s gear, it’s the knife in your pocket. The knife has become a symbol of a preparedness lifestyle and a staple of most people’s everyday carry gear. That’s because having a high-quality EDC knife can come in handy in a surprising number of ways, from daily tasks such as opening Amazon boxes, food procurement, self-defense, and outdoor survival tasks alike.
With so many uses for an EDC knife, it’s no surprise why there are thousands of options to choose from, which can be daunting. In this list of our top 7 best EDC knife picks, we’ll break down what makes each knife worthy of our mention and why we’re recommending them to you as solid options for daily carry.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Our Top 7 Best EDC Knife Picks
Benchmade Griptilian
In some circles, the Benchmade Griptilian is considered the best EDC knife ever made. While you may not think it’s the best, we would definitely agree that it ranks amongst the most impressive as it’s stood the test of time. One of the Griptilian’s best features is its versatility. If you want one with an orange handle, black blade, and partially serrated edge, you can get one like that. If you want something more subdued like a black blade, straight edge, and a simple black handle, you can have that too.
Regardless of what customization you choose, there are a few constants that elevate the Griptilian into the realm of one of the best EDC knives ever. Like a robust, proprietary AXIS locking system, a signature appearance, and materials like CPM blade steel and glass-filled nylon handle scales. Molding practicality, style, and durability put this knife at the top of our list.
Undoubtedly one of the most tactical everyday carry knives on our list, the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 is an aggressive powerhouse. This knife has all the makings of a legendary EDC knife from its high-quality construction to its iconic silhouette and everything in-between. It’s no doubt a contender for the best EDC knife ever to be built. It’s worth noting that the Paramilitary 2 is not for someone looking for a lightweight gentleman’s folder, as it measures a whopping 8.3" overall length when opened.
The blade itself is actually quite stout at just 3.4 inches. What that means to the end-user is that the handle offers plenty of surface area and grip for hard-use cutting tasks. With its deadly sharp point, the signature leaf blade shape still allows for plenty of precision cutting. Adding to the durability, the Paramilitary 2 comes with a proprietary compression lock that is one of the toughest and most reliable locks to be used on a folding knife. All things considered, the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 is nothing shy of legendary.
The Ontario Knife Company flies a little more under-the-radar than a lot of the larger, more recognizable brands in the industry. In all our research we were unable to find a good reason for that. We’re quite shocked that they’re not a more prominent and well-known brand in the knife industry. Ontario Knife Company deserves every bit of the reputation they’re known for in the EDC, military, and tactical communities.
While a lot of that can be attributed to their long history of crafting tools primarily for the U.S. military, such as their legendary RAT 5 fixed blade survival knife. The Ontario RAT II folder is the perfect example of functional beauty with its AUS-8 steel blade and lightweight yet durable glass-filled nylon handle. At this price point, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at just how much quality you get in this everyday carry knife.
If you’re a fan of Gerber knives and want to stick with that brand, the Fastball is your best bet. It features premium S30V blade steel with a Wharncliffe-style blade profile that retains enough of a tip to pierce well when you need it. Gerber’s B.O.S.S. ball bearings in the pivot make for extremely smooth and fast blade deployment. The precision detent in the handle lets you flick it open and closed with little effort.
The knife is American-made, and the precision machining in the aluminum handles and the stainless steel liner allow for a lightweight carry without sacrificing a secure lockup for larger, more strenuous tasks.
The Al Mar SERE 2000 is an iconic knife in its own right. Its been around for decades and was designed specifically for use in the Army’s SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) program. The SERE 2000 has been a top choice for an EDC knife by many military units, including the Army Special Forces.
The Al Mar Mini SERE 2000, however, is not that knife. This is the Mini version, a smaller version of the original that fits a bit better into your everyday carry lifestyle. Does it compare to its bigger brother? Without a doubt, Yes! We absolutely love the design and build quality of this knife. The 3-inch blade is made of premium VG-10 steel, which is both strong and easy to sharpen and is a lot less likely to break at the tip when prying with it.
At first glance and when compared to the rest of the SOG Knives lineup, the Twitch 2 stands out from the crowd. That’s got nothing to do with its design or materials. When paired against SOG’s other offerings, the Twitch II is subdued in its design, almost flying under the radar, opting for a more subtle look over a more traditional tactical look. But that’s one of its biggest benefits. It’s a formidable knife that is hiding in plain sight.
The SOG Twitch 2 looks fairly sleek and unassuming when stacked up next to a combat-proven blade. Taking a closer look, you’ll find its high-quality build can stand up to the same punishment as its tactical counterparts. This is largely thanks to a reliably built AUS-8 stainless steel blade and lightweight yet durable anodized aluminum handle. Pair those features with an assisted-opening flipper for quick and easy opening, and a rock-solid lock, this EDC knife will serve you well in almost any situation, whether that means simply opening a package or functioning as a backup survival knife in a disaster.
Weighing in at almost seven ounces and sporting a 3.75" blade, the ZT0308 is definitely a full-sized pocket folder. Although the ZT0308 is branded as a tactical folder, the wide drop point blade, made from CPM 20CV stainless steel will prove quite useful for fieldcraft tasks and daily carry. The frame lock is made from titanium but has a hardened steel insert for the contact point with the blade. The aggressive handle texture is machined into the titanium side, which is not seen on many frame lock folding knives. The opposing side of the handle is G10 providing the same aggressive texturing.
Deployment of the blade is accomplished by using the flipper protruding from the back of the handle. If you’re a lefty, never fear, ZT has outfitted the 0308 with an ambidextrous pocket clip that has a hole pattern common with aftermarket clips. ZT put their tiger stripe finish on the blade, adding to the knife’s aggressive and tactical look. Given the weight and size, this may not be a great choice if you’re looking to save some ounces, but if you want a sturdy, full-size frame lock that can take a beating, this knife should be high on your list.
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